Stephen is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and board-certified as a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). He earned his Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Webster University in 2021 and has received additional specialized training in clinical psychology. Further, Stephen completed a certificate program in Global Mental Health: Trauma and Recovery through Harvard Medical School in 2022. Committed to ongoing professional development, he has pursued additional training opportunities through Harvard and other esteemed institutions of higher learning.

Currently, Stephen is working toward certification as a Certified Sex Therapist (CST) and is receiving specialized clinical supervision in areas related to sex and sexuality. He helps clients address issues such as intimacy challenges, discrepancy of sexual desire with their partner(s), understanding sexual attitudes, performance concerns, and problematic arousal patterns, including paraphilic, fetish, kink, non-monogamous, and out-of-control sexual behaviors that are sometimes identified as sex addiction. He also supports couples in improving communication about sex and pleasure to cultivate more fulfilling intimate relationships. Additionally, Stephen has experience assisting individuals who have experienced sexual violence or trauma, helping them rediscover intimacy and pleasure in healthy and meaningful new ways.

With over a decade of experience in mental health care and social services, Stephen has served in diverse roles—including sexual health educator, victim’s advocate, crisis responder for victims of violence and sexual crimes, Ryan White medical case manager for newly diagnosed individuals living with HIV/AIDS, and mental health counselor in both agency and private practice settings. An LGBTQ+ affirming therapist, Stephen has been actively involved in the queer community for many years. His commitment to advocacy spans over 30 years, including participation in the Congressional legislative process that led to the passage of the Ryan White CARE Act of 1990.

Stephen is committed to helping individuals find greater peace, strength, and joy in their lives. He employs a compassionate counseling approach, utilizing a range of evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Gestalt Experiential Techniques, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and other methods tailored to each client’s goals and needs. Currently, Stephen offers in-person sessions only. He also provides professional case consultations for clients living with HIV/AIDS, particularly those with complex cases or ethical considerations related to the potential transmission of serious illnesses.